C.Y.A.

[Leonard Childs]

At 01:56 PM 5/7/96 -0600, you wrote:
>May 7, 1996
>
>Dear Friends and Colleagues,
>
>On April 25 my chairman, a clarinetist, wrote of me in the annual
>performance appraisal:
>
>"...I am very concerned however with the number of complaints about the
>quality of tuning and regulation that I receive from students and
>particularly the piano faculty....  Although he may enjoy international
>esteem and admiration by his professional peers, it is unfortunate that
>the quality of his work is seriously questioned by the contingency whom
>he serves."
>
>No specifics of whom, which, where, why or when.
>
>I have not yet had a meeting with the chair about this matter, but, as
>you who know me know, I am incapable of doing bad tunings or bad regula-
>tion, I just don't know how.
>
>Mistakes have and will be made, new parts and changing humidity rarely
>mix advantageously and we had a severe winter with humidity going from a
>September 86% to a February 15%.
>
>On May 4th I was informed that because of budget restraints (I also sell
>bridges) I have been changed from a 12 month to a 10 month employee with
>2 months notice of a drop in take home income of $4207.77 (no July,
>August or early September paychecks).
>
>Needless to say, I am not particularly delirious about this situation
>since I was neither consulted about nor a part of the decision precess.
>
>My point in posting this is that I feel sorry for myself and in those
>institutions where budget problems abound, please;
>
>    Keep all notes of appreciation from students and faculty.
>
>    Make a record of each complaint or service advisement or
>    request and its regulation.
>
>    Maintain exact records of services performed, including such
>    things as string replacements, lyre rods adjusted, squeaks
>    resolved, benches repaired or anything else requiring your
>    time.  The more detailed the more easily proven.
>
>    When a new chairman comes in, especially one who is not a
>    pianist, inform the chair of what you do, how you do it and
>    why and especially of any problems with meeting departmental
>    needs.  For instance, I have 132 instruments in various
>    levels of use and needs, and I am the only technician avail-
>    able.
>
>Plan for a loss of income of this nature for six to nine months in
>advance if you have continual budget cutbacks like we have had each year
>for the past seven years.  Don't assume your position is unassailable as
>I did.
>
>We are fortunately able to cope, we have some very small savings, the
>car will be paid for in mid June and I can draw from a business my
>brother and I share in partnership.  I have a M&H A in the shop I can
>begin to rebuild for future sale.  My wife, a teacher, will continue to
>get checks since she is on a 12 month payment schedule, Thank God!
>
>Please watch your backsides, make yourselves indispensable and prepare
>for disaster
>
>      Newton
>      nhunt@rci.rutgers.edu
>Newton, I have known you for over 10 years and know you to be one of the
best piano technician/tuner in the business and what you are going through
is happening throught all universities.  Here in San Antonio, TX, we RPT's
refuse to work for UTSA because of what they pay and how they treat their
technicians.
I'm really sorry this is happening to you.

Leonard W. Childs, RPT
Childs Piano Service
San Antonio, TX